Any way to unwarp old KEMs? (2 Viewers)

[NickyT]

That much heat applied to a card can't really be good for it.

I had nothing to lose since they weren't playable in their warped state. I used the heat gun on 3 decks and not a single card bubbles or burned.

 

[drdr]

Still seems like a lot of effort to "rescue" what is already a high-maintenance product.

My logic brain agrees. But .. that KEM feel!

 

[glynn]

here they are….twelve decks of Kems kept perfectly flat for years!

Yep, all of these can be and possibly are true:

• Kems are disproportionately susceptible to bowing.
• Issues with Kems are over-reported due to their price and popularity.
• Issues with other brands are under-reported, or the cards are graded on a curve.

That alone gives a warped (heh) impression of the normal experience, but then you've got a handful of truthers who loudly insist that the only reason why the company is still in business is their customers hate themselves.

 

[Old State]

Still seems like a lot of effort to "rescue" what is already a high-maintenance product.

Well I guess when compared to doing nothing it’s high maintenance. I personally think the unmatched and unrivaled feel is well worth the effort of placing a cut card on top.

Maybe if another brand came within reaching distance of the feel of Kems…but after search for almost 20 years none even come close. I find this remarkable. Every time I’ve found a great feel deck I grab some Kems and are quickly disappointed.

 

[AlbinoDragon]

I guess I'm the oddball as I'm only OK with Kem's. I've used them in my own game and at others. Plenty of times at the casino. I can pick out other cards I'd rather use.

I realize it's personal taste, but I just don't get the hype.

 

[drdr]

I guess I'm the oddball as I'm only OK with Kem's. I've used them in my own game and at others. Plenty of times at the casino. I can pick out other cards I'd rather use.

I realize it's personal taste, but I just don't get the hype.

There's not much in life that compares to the perfection in feel, smell, and sound of a fresh deck of KEMS. But farking damnit I detest the bowing. Love-hate relationship.

 

[DMack]

There's not much in life that compares to the perfection in feel, smell, and sound of a fresh deck of KEMS. But farking damnit I detest the bowing. Love-hAte relationship.

KEMs are by far my favorite, and you touched on something that rarely gets mentioned…the smell of KEMs is unmatched!

 

[Colquhoun]

I love KEMs too, but the smell...if we are talking about a vinegar-type smell...is known as "vinegar syndrome" and is when cellulose acetate starts to break down and release acetic acid (in vinegar as well).
So now I associate the smell as not something favorable, but of deterioration.

 

[RocAFella1]

Here's an update on my heat gun experiment with old warped KEMs.

 

[drdr]

I love KEMs too, but the smell...if we are talking about a vinegar-type smell...is known as "vinegar syndrome" and is when cellulose acetate starts to break down and release acetic acid (in vinegar as well).
So now I associate the smell as not something favorable, but of deterioration.

Probably something similar to positive sensory link with foods. Some foods stink but taste great, so the smell still initiated a positive response.

* I do not, DO NOT, make a habit of smelling cards for my pleasure. Just saying.

 

[Old State]

Probably something similar to positive sensory link with foods. Some foods stink but taste great, so the smell still initiated a positive response.

* I do not, DO NOT, make a habit of smelling cards for my pleasure. Just saying.

I have always thought they smelled great!

 

[drdr]

I have always thought they smelled great!

Me too. But only incidentally.